Port Gate Supports for a Gate Valve

ABSTRACT

Embodiments provide a gate valve including a first body half that defines a first process fluid aperture, a second body half that defines a second process fluid aperture aligned with the first process fluid aperture, a gate that is movable relative to the first body half and the second body, and a first port gate support that is arranged on the first body half and extends into the first process fluid aperture. The first port gate support defines a curved surface that is configured to be in contact with a process fluid.

BACKGROUND

Gate valves are typically used for fluid flow control in pipelinesystems. Typical gate valves include a housing, a seal, and a gate thatmoves between an open position and a closed position to control a flowof process fluid through the gate valve.

Gate valves tend to experience deflection when arranged in the closedposition or a partially closed position. This deflection can increasethe wear experienced by the seal and other components of the gate valve.

Additionally, typical gasket-type seals have a tendency to wear out overtime and lose their sealing capability when the gate valve is in theclosed position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the invention provide a gate valve that includes afirst body half that defines a first process fluid aperture, a secondbody half that defines a second process fluid aperture aligned with thefirst process fluid aperture, a gate that is movable relative to thefirst body half and the second body, and a first port gate support thatis arranged on the first body half and extends into the first processfluid aperture. The first port gate support defines a curved surfacethat is configured to be in contact with a process fluid.

Other embodiments of the invention provide a gate valve body thatdefines a process fluid aperture. The gate valve body includes a portgate support that extends into the process fluid aperture and defines across sectional area that changes along a fluid flow axis. The port gatesupport is arranged to limit a deflection of a gate such that the gateis maintained along a gate axis and within a gate path.

Other embodiments of the invention provide a gate support system for agate valve that includes a first body half that defines a first processfluid aperture, a second body half that defines a second process fluidaperture that is aligned with the first process fluid aperture, and agate that is moveable between an open position and a closed positionalong a gate axis. The gate support system includes a first port gatesupport that is arranged on the first body half and extends into thefirst process fluid aperture. The first port support defines a curvedsurface that is configured to be in contact with a process fluid anddefines a cross sectional area that changes exponentially along a fluidflow axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gate valve according to one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the gate valve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top front perspective view of a first body half of the gatevalve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top back perspective view of the first body half of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevational front view of the first body half of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an elevational back view of the first body half of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the first body half of FIG. 3 taken alongthe line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top front perspective view of a gasket seal of the gatevalve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the gasket seal of FIG. 8 taken along theline 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a circular gate support of the gatevalve of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the gate valve of FIG. 1 taken along theline 11-11 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a detail view of the gate valve of FIG. 1 taken within theline 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a detail view of the gate valve of FIG. 1 taken within theline 13-13 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a detail view of the gate valve of FIG. 1 taken within theline 14-14 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a perspective sectional view of the gate valve of FIG. 1taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a gate valve according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the gate valve of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a top front perspective view of a first body half of the gatevalve of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a top back perspective view of the first body half of FIG.18.

FIG. 20 is an elevational front view of the first body half of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is an elevational back view of the first body half of FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a flow ring of the gate valve of FIG.16.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the flow ring of FIG. 22 taken along line23-23 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a sealing ring of the gate valve ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of the sealing ring of FIG. 24 taken alongline 25-25 of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a gasket seal of the gate valve of FIG.16.

FIG. 27 a sectional view of the gasket seal of FIG. 26 taken along theline 27-27 of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a section view of the gate valve of FIG. 16 taken along theline 28-28 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 29 is a detail view of the gate valve of FIG. 16 taken within theline 29-29 of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a jacking assembly of the gate valve ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a jacking assembly of the gate valve ofFIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected”and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connectionsor couplings.

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modificationsto the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of theinvention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to belimited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Thefollowing detailed description is to be read with reference to thefigures, in which like elements in different figures have like referencenumerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depictselected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize theexamples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall withinthe scope of embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a gate valve 110 according to one embodiment. The gatevalve 110 includes an actuation system 114, a valve body assembly 118,and a gate 122. The gate 122 includes gate locking apertures 126 anddefines a gate axis 130. The actuation system 114 includes an actuator134 in communication with a control system (not shown), an actuatormount 138 that couples the actuation system 114 to the valve bodyassembly 118, and a lockout system 142. In one embodiment, the actuator134 is a linear hydraulic actuator. In other embodiments, the actuator134 can be an electronic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hand wheeland a threaded rod, or a lever. The actuator mount 138 includesfastening rods 146, an actuator coupling plate 150, a coupler shaft 154,and a gate coupling 158 for joining the coupler shaft 154 and the gate122. The lockout system 142 includes actuator mount lockout apertures162 and lockout keys 166. The actuator mount lockout apertures 162 eachinclude a jacking bolt aperture 163. In the illustrated embodiment,there are two lockout keys 166. In other embodiments, there could bemore or less than two lockout keys 166. In the illustrated embodiment,there are eight actuator mount lockout apertures 162. In otherembodiments, there could be more or less than eight actuator mountlockout apertures 162.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the gate valve 110 including theactuation system 114, the valve body assembly 118, a sealing system 170,fastening elements 174, and chest gate supports 178. The sealing system170 includes the gate 122, the gate coupling 158, packing material 182,a packing gland 186, and a primary seal 190. In the illustratedembodiment, there are four layers of packing material 182. In otherembodiments there could be more or less than four layers of packingmaterial 182. Each of the layers of packing material 182 includes apacking material aperture 194. The packing gland 186 includes packinggland fastening apertures 198 and a packing gland gate aperture 202.

The valve body assembly 118 includes a first body half 206 and a secondbody half 206′. The first and second body halves 206, 206′ aresymmetric, and the following description of the first body half 206 alsoapplies to the second body half 206′, with like parts on the second bodyhalf 206′ numbered in the prime series. The second body half 206′ caninclude different features that are not discussed herein. For example,in some embodiments, the second body half 206′ can include mountingfeatures that are different from the first body half 206 to enable eachhalf to properly fit into the desired piping system.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first body half 206 includes an actuatormounting flange 210, a first process fluid aperture 214 defining a firstprocess fluid flow axis 218, port gate supports 226, body mountingapertures 230 arranged both parallel to the first process fluid flowaxis 218 and radially around the first process fluid aperture 214, and aplumbing flange 234. The actuator mounting flange 210 includes actuatormounting apertures 238, and packing mount flange apertures 242. Theplumbing flange 234 defines a plumbing flange surface 246, whichincludes flange apertures 250 arranged radially around the plumbingflange surface 246, enabling the first body half 206 to couple to a pipe(not shown) through which the process fluid flows.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first body half 206 further includes anon-recessed portion or body mating surface 254, a packing recess 258, aprimary seal recess 262, a chest portion 266, two chest projections 270,and chest gate support recesses 274 arranged in the chest portion 266radially around the first process fluid flow aperture 214. The bodymating surface 254 of the first body half defines a center plane 278.The packing recess 258 is recessed into the first body half 206extending away from the center plane 278. The primary seal recess 262 isrecessed into the first body half 206 extending away from the centerplane 278 and includes a primary flange recess 282 and a primary bodyrecess 286. The chest portion 266 is bound by the first process fluidaperture 214 and the primary seal recess 262, and defines a chest plane290.

The two chest projections 270 protrude from the chest plane 290 towardsthe center plane 278 and provide structural support to the flangeapertures 250. The chest gate support recesses 274 are recessed into thefirst body half 206 from the chest plane 290 extending away from thecenter plane 278, and define a circular profile with a gate supportdiameter. The chest gate support recesses 274 could define other shapedprofiles. In the illustrated embodiment, there are three gate supportrecesses 274. In other embodiments there could be more or less thanthree gate support recesses 274.

As shown in FIG. 5, one embodiment of the first body half 206 includesfour port gate supports 226. In other embodiments, there could be moreor less than four port gate supports 226. Each port gate support 226defines an outer profile 294 that is semicircular and defines an outerdiameter 298, and an inner profile 302 that is semicircular and definesan inner diameter 306. Each port gate support 226 also defines a crosssectional profile perpendicular to the first process fluid flow axis 218that changes from the inner profile 302 to the outer profile 294. Thearea of the cross sectional profile increases exponentially from theinner profile 302 to the outer profile 294, so that the cross sectionalprofile remains substantially semicircular. An outer surface 310 of eachport gate support 226 connects the inner profile 302 to the outerprofile 294 linearly so that the outer shape is generally frustoconical.

As shown in FIG. 7, a port gate support angle 314 is defined between thefirst process fluid flow axis 218 and the outer surface 310 of each portgate support 226. According to one embodiment, the port gate supportangle 314 is approximately fifteen degrees. In other embodiments, theport gate support angle 314 could be between ten and twenty fivedegrees. As shown in FIG. 4, each port gate support 226 overhangs intothe first process fluid aperture 214. According to one embodiment, asshown in FIG. 7, all the port gate supports 226 are arranged below ahalfway height 318 of the first process fluid aperture 214. In otherembodiments, the port gate supports 226 could be arranged above or belowthe halfway height 318 of the process fluid aperture.

As shown in FIG. 8, the primary seal 190 includes an upper gland portion322, a primary flange portion 326, and a primary body portion 330. Theupper gland portion 322 includes an upper gate aperture 334, an uppersurface 338, an upper flange portion 342, and upper surface apertures346. In one embodiment, the upper gate aperture 334 defines asubstantially rectangular shape to conform to the geometry of the gate122. In other embodiments, the upper gate aperture 334 can defineanother shape to conform to another geometry of a different gate.

As shown in FIG. 9, the primary flange portion 326 includes roundededges and defines a primary flange width 350. The primary body portion330 includes a gate sealing surface 354, cutouts 358, and defines aprimary body width 362. The gate sealing surface 354 is configured toreceive the gate 122. Each cutout 358 defines a substantiallytrapezoidal shape and a cutout depth 370. As shown in FIG. 8, eachcutout 358 extends around the primary seal 190. The cutout depth 370 isapproximately thirteen percent of the primary body width 362. In otherembodiments, the cutout depth 370 could be between five and twentypercent of the primary body width 362. The cutouts 358 are designed intothe profile of the primary seal 190 in order to allow the seal materialto flow or transform when primary seal 190 is compressed duringassembly. In one embodiment, the cutout 358 defines a substantiallytrapezoidal shape. In other embodiments, the cutout 358 can define asquare or rectangular shape, a triangular shape, or an arcuate shape.During compression the primary seal 190 undergoes a volumetransformation wherein the volume remains the same, but is orienteddifferently.

As shown in FIG. 10, the chest gate supports 178 are configured to bereceived within the chest gate support recesses 274. According to oneembodiment, the chest gate supports 178 have a circular profile and aregenerally cylindrical. The chest gate supports 178 define a chest gatesupport depth 374 and a chest gate support diameter 378, where the chestgate support depth 374 is approximately thirty-three percent of thechest gate support diameter 378. In one embodiment, the chest gatesupports 178 have chamfered edges. In other embodiments, the chest gatesupports 178 can have rounded or square edges. The chest gate supports178 are fabricated from a material that has a high resistance tocorrosion, and a low coefficient of friction.

FIG. 11 illustrates an assembled gate valve 110. The primary seal 190 isinstalled onto the first body half 206 by inserting the primary seal 190into the primary seal recess 262 so that the primary flange portion 326is inserted into the primary flange recess 282 and the primary bodyportion 330 is inserted into the primary body recess 286. The chest gatesupports 178 are installed into the first body half 206 by inserting thechest gate supports 178 into the chest gate support recesses 274.

The chest gate supports 178 are then inserted into the second body half206′, and the second body half 206′ is engaged with the first body half206 so that the primary seal 190 is received within the primary sealrecess 262′ of the second body half 206′. Once the primary seal 190 isseated, the fastening elements 174 are installed through the bodymounting apertures 230, 230′ as shown in FIG. 2, and tightened to jointhe first body half 206 and the second body half 206′.

As also shown in FIG. 11, the packing material 182 are placed into thepacking recesses 258, 258′, and are then compressed into the packingrecesses 258, 258′ by the packing gland 186. As shown in FIG. 2, oncethe packing gland 186 is installed onto the valve body assembly 118, thefastening elements 174 are inserted through the packing gland fasteningapertures 198 and into the corresponding packing gland flange apertures242, 242′ on the actuator mounting flanges 210, 210′ and are thentightened to further compress the packing material 182 into the packingrecesses 258, 258′.

The gate 122 is then inserted into the aligning packing gland gateaperture 202, packing material apertures 194, and upper gate aperture334 of the primary seal 190. The gate 122 is moveable between a first oropen position where the gate 122 does not block any of the first processfluid aperture 214 and process fluid is allowed to flow through thefirst process fluid aperture 214 uninhibited and a second or closedposition where the gate 122 blocks the first process fluid aperture 214and process fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing through thefirst process fluid aperture 214. In the second position, the gate 122forms an effective seal with the gate sealing surface 354 on the primaryseal 190. The gate 122 moves between the open position and the closedposition along the gate axis 130 and within a gate path defined alongthe gate axis 130.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the actuator 134 is coupled to the actuatorcoupling plate 150 and the coupler shaft 154. The actuator couplingplate 150 is attached to the fastening rods 146. Each of the fasteningrods 146 are inserted into the corresponding actuator mounting apertures238 and are then tightened to join the actuation system 114 to the valvebody assembly 118. The gate 122 is then coupled to the coupler shaft 154with the gate coupling 158. Each of the actuator mount lockout apertures162 are coupled to the fastening rods 146 (e.g., by welding) and arearranged so that the lockout keys 166 can be inserted through twocorresponding actuator mount lockout apertures 162 substantiallyparallel to the first process fluid flow axis 218.

FIG. 12 illustrates in further detail the port gate supports 226 andtheir arrangement in the valve body assembly 118. During operation, theprocess fluid imparts a differential pressure across the gate 122 of thegate valve 110 when the gate 122 is in the closed position. Thedifferential pressure across the gate 122 causes the gate 122 to deflectaway from the gate axis 130. In one embodiment, when the gate 122deflects it contacts the port gate supports 226 and the port gatesupports 226 constrain the deflection so that the gate 122 is maintainedalong the gate axis 130 and within the gate path for the entire travellength of the gate 122. The general frustoconical shape of the port gatesupports 226 gradually increases in cross sectional area from the innerprofile 302 to the outer profile 294, reducing the wear from the processfluid during operation when the gate 122 is in the first position. Theport gate supports 226 are also arranged on both the first body half 206and the second body half 206′, resulting in the total occlusion of theprocess fluid from the port gate supports 226 gradually increasing andthen gradually decreasing, further reducing wear from the process fluidduring operation when the gate 122 is in the open position.

FIG. 13 illustrates in further detail the chest gate supports 178 andtheir arrangement in the valve body assembly 118. The chest gatesupports 178 are press fit into the chest gate support recesses 274,274′ in the chest portions 266, 266′ of the first and second body halves206, 206′. In other embodiments, the chest gate supports 178 aremaintained in the chest gate support recesses 274, 274′ by othermechanical arrangements such as an adhesive. Similar to the port gatesupports 226, the chest gate supports 178 constrain the deflection ofthe gate 122 during operation when the gate 122 is in the closedposition, and also when the gate 122 is between the open and closedpositions.

In one embodiment, the chest gate supports 178 constrain the deflectionso that the gate 122 is maintained along the gate axis 130 and withinthe gate path for the entire travel length of the gate 122. The chestgate supports 178 also substantially eliminate contact between the gate122 and the first and second body halves 206, 206′ during actuation ofthe gate 122. During actuation of the gate 122, the process fluidimparts a differential pressure, as described above, across the gate122, while the gate 122 is moving between the open and closed positions,causing the gate 122 to deflect. This deflection causes the gate 122 tocome into sliding contact with the chest gate supports 178. To reducewear on the gate 122 and chest gate supports 178 resulting from thissliding contact, the chest gate supports 178 are made of a non-abrasiveand wear resistant.

FIG. 14 illustrates in further detail the primary seal 190 and itsarrangement in the valve body assembly 118. The primary seal 190 isarranged between the first body half 206 and the second body half 206′,within the primary seal recesses 262, 262′. The primary body width 362is wider than a primary body space 382 between the primary body recesses286, 286′ when the valve body assembly 118 is assembled. The primaryflange width 350 is also wider than a flange body width 386 between theprimary flange recesses 282, 282′ when the valve body assembly 118 isassembled. As the fastening elements 174 are tightened, the first andsecond body halves 206, 206′ compress the primary seal 190. Duringoperation, this compression provides an effective seal between the firstand second body halves 206, 206′. The cutouts 358 allow the primary bodyportion 330 to undergo a slight shape change. This shape change allowsfor the gate sealing surface 354 to wrap slightly around the gate 122 inthe closed position, providing a secure and effective seal between thegate 122 and the gate sealing surface 354.

FIG. 15 illustrates the operation of the gate 122 in the valve bodyassembly 118. The actuation system 114 actuates the gate 122 between theopen position and the closed position to control a flow of processfluid. In both the open and closed positions, the gate 122 contacts theupper gate aperture 334 creating an effective seal between the uppergate aperture 334 on the primary seal 190 and the gate 122. In theclosed position, the gate 122 also contacts the gate sealing surface 354on the primary seal 190. The primary seal 190 is compressed by the firstand second body halves 206, 206′. The gate 122 further compresses theprimary seal 190, and the cutouts 358 allow the gate sealing surface 354on the primary seal 190 to wrap slightly around the gate 122, creatingan effective seal between the gate 122 and the gate sealing surface 354.In the closed position, the first process fluid aperture 214 iscompletely blocked by the gate 122, and process fluid is substantiallyinhibited from flowing through the first process fluid aperture 214.

FIG. 16 shows a gate valve 1110 according to another embodiment. Thegate valve 1110 includes an actuation system 1114, a valve body assembly1118, and a gate 1122. The gate 1122 defines a gate axis 1130. Theactuation system 1114 includes an actuator 1134 in communication with acontrol system (not shown), an actuator mount 1138 that couples theactuation system 1114 to the valve body assembly 1118, and a lockoutsystem 1142. The actuator mount 1138 includes fastening rods 1146, anactuator coupling plate 1150, a coupler shaft 1154, and a gate coupling1158 for joining the coupler shaft 1154 and the gate 1122.

The lockout system 1142 includes actuator mount lockout apertures 1162,lockout keys 1166, and an adjustment feature in the form of lockoutjacking bolts 1167. Each of the actuator mount lockout apertures 1162includes a jacking bolt aperture 1163. In the illustrated embodiment,there are two lockout keys 1166. In other embodiments, there could bemore or less than two lockout keys 1166. In the illustrated embodiment,there are eight actuator mount lockout apertures 1162. In otherembodiments, there could be more or less than eight actuator mountlockout apertures 1162.

FIG. 17 shows an exploded view of the gate valve 1110 including theactuation system 1114, the valve body assembly 1118, a sealing system1170, fastening elements 1174, and flow ring systems 1175, 1175′ areclearly visible. The sealing system 1170 includes the gate 1122, thegate coupling 1158, packing material 1182, a packing gland 1186, and aprimary seal 1190. In the illustrated embodiment, there are five layersof packing material 1182. In other embodiments, there could be more orless than five layers of packing material 1182. Each of the packingmaterial 1182 includes a packing material aperture 1194. One flow ringsystem 1175 is discussed below. The other flow ring system 1175′includes the same features and is referenced with prime numbers in thedrawings. The flow ring system 1175 includes an external flow ring 1195,a liner 1196, an internal ring or sealing plate 1197, and a sealing ring1199.

The valve body assembly 1118 includes a first body half 1206 and asecond body half 1206′. The first and second body halves 1206, 1206′ aresymmetric, and the following description of the first body half 1206also applies to the second body half 1206′, with like parts on thesecond body half 1206′ numbered in the prime series.

As shown in FIG. 18, the first body half 1206 includes an actuatormounting flange 1210, a first process fluid aperture 1214 defining afirst process fluid flow axis 1218, body mounting apertures 1230arranged both parallel to the first process fluid flow axis 1218 andradially around the first process fluid aperture 1214, and a plumbingflange 1234. The actuator mounting flange 1210 includes actuatormounting apertures 1238. The plumbing flange 1234 includes an externalring mounting recess 1235, which includes external ring mountingapertures 1236, and defines a plumbing flange surface 1246. The plumbingflange surface 1246 includes flange apertures 1250 arranged radiallyaround the plumbing flange surface 1246, that enable the first body half1206 to couple to a pipe (not shown) through which the process fluidflows.

As shown in FIG. 19, the first body half 1206 further includes anon-recessed portion 1254, a primary recessed portion 1255, and apacking recess 1258. The non-recessed portion 1254 of the first bodyhalf 1206 defines a center plane 1278. The primary recessed portion 1255is recessed into the first body half 1206 extending away from the centerplane 1278, defines a primary recess plane 1279, and includes a sealerprojection 1280. The sealer projection 1280 protrudes away from theprimary recess plane 1279 toward the center plane 1278. The packingrecess 1258 is recessed into the primary recessed portion 1255,extending away from the center plane 1278.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the first body half 1206 further includes asealing ring recess 1281 and a center seal recess 1283. The sealing ringrecess 1281 extends around the first process fluid aperture 1214 and isfurther recessed into the external ring mounting recess 1235 on theplumbing flange 1234. The center seal recess 1283 is recessed into thenon-recessed portion 1254, away from the center plane 1278, and extendsaround the primary recessed portion 1255, terminating where the primaryrecessed portion 1255 meets the packing recess 1258.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the external flow ring 1195 includes anexternal surface 1284, a mating surface 1285, and mating chamfers 1287.The external surface 1284 includes external surface apertures 1288 andflow ring mounting aperture recesses 1289. Each flow ring mountingaperture recess 1289 includes a flow ring mounting aperture 1291 (one isvisible in FIG. 22).

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, each of the sealing plates 1197, 1197′include a sealing plate body mating surface 1292, a sealing plate gatemating surface 1293, narrow channels 1295 and a sealing plate processfluid aperture 1296. Each of the sealing plates 1197 are configured tobe received within the primary recessed portion 1255 of the first andsecond body halves 1206, 1206′ between the respective first processfluid aperture 1214 and the sealer projection 1280.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the primary seal 1190 includes an uppergland portion 1322, a primary flange portion 1326, and a primary bodyportion 1330. The upper gland portion 1322 includes an upper gateaperture 1334, an upper stiffener plate 1335, an upper surface 1338, andan upper flange portion 1342. The upper gate aperture 1334 defines asubstantially rectangular shape to conform to the geometry of the gate1122. In other embodiments, the upper gate aperture 1334 can defineanother shape to conform to another geometry of a different gate.

As shown in FIG. 27, the primary flange portion 1326 defines a primaryflange width 1350. The primary body portion 1330 includes a gate sealingsurface 1354, a reinforcing substrate 1355, cutouts 1358, and defines aprimary body width 1362. The gate sealing surface 1354 is configured toreceive the gate 1122. According to one embodiment, the gate sealingsurface 1354 has chamfered edges 1363. In other embodiments, the gatesealing surface 1354 can have rounded or square edges. Each cutout 1358defines a substantially trapezoidal shape and a cutout depth 1364. Eachcutout 1358 extends around the primary seal 1190 (as shown in FIG. 26).

As shown in FIG. 28, the gate valve 1110 is assembled by installing aflow ring system 1175, 1175′ in each of the first body half 1206 and thesecond body half 1206′. One flow ring system 1175 installation isdiscussed below; the second flow ring system 1175′ is installed in asimilar manner. The sealing ring 1199 is placed into the correspondingsealing ring recess 1281, and the external flow ring 1195 is insertedand fastened to the external ring mounting apertures 1236 (not picturedin FIG. 28). With the external flow ring 1195 installed, the liner 1196is fitted over the external flow ring 1195 to provide a sealed surface.The primary seal 1190 is then inserted and the sealing plates 1197 areinstalled, and the two body halves 1206, 1206′ are fastened together.The gate 1122 and the rest of the gate valve 1110 are then assembled andoperated similar to gate valve 110 discussed above.

The flow ring system 1175 allows passage of material through the inletand/or outlet and improves the valve 1110 construction methods bycombining features for external flow ring 1195 and sealing plate 1197replacement, external flow ring 1195 axial rotation, transfer of axialloads from the gate 1122 to the valve body halves 1206, 1206′, andelimination of pressure boundary requirements for the external flow ring1195. These features improve service life and reduce maintenance needs.The flow ring system 1175 meets the requirements of the gate valve 1100(e.g., compliant to MSS-SP-135 and ASME B16.34). The internal ring inthe form of the sealing plate 1197 and the external flow ring 1195 arereplaceable if they become damaged or excessively worn during service.During valve 1110 service or maintenance, portions of the flow ringsystem 1175 may develop signs of wear as materials are passed through,especially when corrosive or high-abrasion materials are used.Typically, locations of wear are in the bottom portions of the flow ringsystem 1175. Longevity of the flow ring system 1175 is extended viaaxial rotation, allowing worn portions to be relocated to the side ortop extents of the process fluid aperture 1214. The flow ring system1175 also provides for axial loads from the gate 1122 to be absorbed bythe internal ring 1197 then onto the body halves 1206, 1206′, making thevalve 1100 eligible for use in dead-end service when sealing is allowedwhen the gate 1122 is in the closed position while pipe flanges areabsent or disconnected. The flow ring system 1175 is not configured aspart of a connected pipe flange, and the pipe flange is no longerutilized as a valve component with a restraining surface that maintainsa pressure differential. In another embodiment, the flow ring system1175 can include an internal ring 1197 that is fastened to an innerportion of each body half 1206, 1206′ in a manner similar to theexternal flow ring 1195. The second flow ring system 1175′ provides thesame advantages as the first flow ring system 1175 discussed above.

FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate operation of the lockout systems 142, 1142 ofthe gate valve 110 and the gate valve 1110, respectively. Lockoutapertures 162, 1162 are generally aligned with the gate lockingapertures 126, 1126 of gate 122, 1122 along gate axis 130, 1130. Lockoutjacking bolts 167, 1167 are threadably engaged with jacking apertures163, 1163 and are used to adjust the position of engagement with lockoutkeys 166, 1166. The inclusion of the jacking bolts 167, 1167 allows thelockout apertures 162, 1162 to be installed during assembly of the gatevalve 110, 1110. The lockout apertures 162, 1162 do not need to be asexactly placed as prior art lockout apertures because the jacking bolts167, 1167 are adjusted in the field to match the lockout positions ofthe gate 122, 1122 in place. In other words, the jacking bolts 167, 1167can be adjusted (e.g., threaded in or out of the jacking apertures 163,1163) to take up slack in the lockout system 142, 1142. The ability toinstall (e.g., weld) the lockout apertures 162, 1162 in a factory orassembly line setting and later adjust the jacking bolts 167, 1167 inthe field greatly improves ease of installation and functionality.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while theinvention has been described above in connection with particularembodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited,and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications anddepartures from the embodiments, examples and uses are intended to beencompassed by the claims attached hereto. Particularly, portions orcomponents of the gate valve 110 may be combined with any portions orcomponents of the gate valve 1110 described above. The entire disclosureof each patent and publication cited herein is incorporated byreference, as if each such patent or publication were individuallyincorporated by reference herein.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A gate valve comprising: a first body half defining a first processfluid aperture; a second body half defining a second process fluidaperture aligned with the first process fluid aperture; a gate movablerelative to the first body half and the second body half; and a firstport gate support arranged on the first body half and extending into thefirst process fluid aperture, the first port gate support defining acurved surface configured to be in contact with a process fluid.
 2. Thegate valve of claim 1, wherein the first port gate support is positionedon a bottom half of the first process fluid aperture.
 3. The gate valveof claim 1, wherein the first port gate support defines a generallyfrustoconical profile that extends into the first process fluidaperture.
 4. The gate valve of claim 1, wherein the first port gatesupport defines an inner profile arranged adjacent the gate, the innerprofile being semicircular and having inner profile diameter, and anouter profile arranged farther from the gate than the inner profile, theouter profile being semicircular and having an outer profile diameterthat is smaller than the inner profile diameter.
 5. The gate valve ofclaim 4, wherein the outer profile diameter is about fifty percent ofthe inner profile diameter.
 6. The gate valve of claim 4, wherein theouter profile diameter is about seventy-five percent of the innerprofile diameter.
 7. The gate valve of claim 1, wherein the first portgate support limits a deflection of the gate so that the gate ismaintained within a gate path under load.
 8. The gate valve of claim 1,further comprising a replaceable external ring engaged with the firstprocess fluid aperture and at least partially maintaining a gasket sealwithin the gate valve.
 9. The gate valve of claim 1, further comprisinga replaceable inner ring engaged with the first body half and configuredabsorb axial loading of the gate.
 10. The gate valve of claim 1, furthercomprising lockout apertures that include an adjustment feature arrangedto align with gate locking apertures formed in the gate.
 11. The gatevalve of claim 1, further comprising a lockout jacking bolt arranged toadjust a position of a lockout key.
 12. The gate valve of claim 1,further comprising a gasket seal including a reinforcing substrate. 13.The gate valve of claim 1, further comprising a gasket seal thatincludes cutouts arranged to allow a volume transformation.
 14. A gatevalve body defining a process fluid aperture and comprising: a port gatesupport extending into the process fluid aperture and defining a crosssectional area that changes along a fluid flow axis, the port gatesupport arranged to limit a deflection of a gate such that the gate ismaintained along a gate axis and within a gate path.
 15. The gate valvebody of claim 14, wherein the cross sectional area of an inner profileis about fifty percent larger than the cross sectional area of an outerprofile.
 16. The gate valve body of claim 14, wherein the crosssectional area of an inner profile is about seventy five percent largerthan the cross sectional area of an outer profile.
 17. The gate valvebody of claim 14, wherein the cross sectional area changes exponentiallyalong the fluid flow axis.
 18. A gate support system for a gate valvethat includes a first body half defining a first process fluid aperture,a second body half defining a second process fluid aperture aligned withthe first process fluid aperture, and a gate moveable between an openposition and a closed position along a gate axis, the gate supportsystem comprising: a port gate support arranged on the first body halfand extending into the first process fluid aperture, the port gatesupport defines a curved surface configured to be in contact with aprocess fluid and defines a cross sectional area that changesexponentially along a fluid flow axis.
 19. The gate support system ofclaim 18, wherein the cross sectional area of an inner profile is aboutfifty percent larger than the cross sectional area of an outer profile.20. The gate support system of claim 18, wherein the port gate supportis arranged to limit a deflection of a gate such that the gate ismaintained along the gate axis and within a gate path.